AnwenMy mouth falls open. Estrella’s whole body is consumed in that light, the glow I saw the night her father was killed. She tilts her head back with a beatific smile, and something in my ribcage heals too. I knew she was going to be beautiful. But the dress, her hair, the smile… it’s all too muc
That’s what I need. A single moment alone with Estrella. A second to tell her it’s not true and have her listen.No, a second to tell her I’m sorry. That I know I can’t live without her, and I’m willing to do whatever she needs—even sail across the sea on a stolen boat—to be with her.From the shado
EstrellaMother kisses me on the cheek in an empty courtyard. Even the servants are gone, having carried all the remainder of the cleaning inside.“You did wonderfully,” she says. “As I knew you would. Now, sleep, and I will see you in the morning.”She leaves. I am truly alone. That hurts again, li
A smell reaches my nose. Floral, deep. Dream thistle. I blink and look around as Anwen sinks his teeth lightly into my haunch.I didn’t think about the Haze often before Anwen. I knew the Goddess would take me by the paw and lead me where I needed to go. But when I allowed myself the thought, I hope
AnwenEstrella rolls her hips against my hand, against my softening cock still inside her. I groan. I’ll fuck her fast, slow, whatever she’ll allow to just keep tasting her.She starts to try to stand up, and I instinctively tighten my grip on her hair. She shivers—I knew she liked a little pain wit
She leans up on an elbow, her breasts swaying. “I need the truth, Anwen. I cannot spend—consider–my life with a mate I cannot trust.”Spend her life. She’s thinking about a future with me. I swallow and leave the water, feeling a whole hell of a lot more naked than I was a second ago.“No.”She take
EstrellaAnwen’s pale eyes reflect the stars back at me. My body hums with pleasure. In the wake of enjoying him, I feel the buzz of the healing during my coronation again, the guiding hand of the Goddess and Her whispered assurance that I stride the right path. Having him here feels nearly as good.
He shrugs. “Possibly. Everyone in the palace learns basic reading and writing from the same tutor. I’m not an expert, but it seems like it’d be pretty easy to fake.”I nod slowly. A new king—a new leader is susceptible to attacks from all sides. Several of Father’s advisors have pulled me aside alre
When he brings a hand up to tease my other nipple, I remember I can actually move my arms. One hand, I thread instantly into his hair and tug. The vibrations of his grumble ripple through me. The other, I slip down his back, nails out, scratching red lines I can’t see. I need to mark him as much as
CandaceI trail after Hollis through the dark halls of the castle, my heart pounding. If Finn didn’t talk to me after the meeting, I would’ve let Hollis whisk me on whatever adventure he had planned for today. I never would’ve heard the story about his mother—and he wouldn’t have told it. Judging by
“Long story short, I pitched a fit.” I shake my head. “She finally told the painter she’d sit with me in the room, or not at all.”Candace giggles. “Don’t tell me that’s when you gained your taste for paint thinner.”“No, but I did eat a fistful of blue paint I’ve never seen come back out.” I stare
HollisI take a full step back from Candace before my brain catches up with my body. We were supposed to go try to get some of the staff on our side today—and if the idea appealed, maybe have a private lunch in the kitchen, without all the pressure of a formal meal. Talking about Mother is… not exac
Maybe I don’t have to. Hollis and I made it into town the other day, and it’s really not far from the castle. If Kieran paid for my accommodation in an inn there, that might go some way toward easing the tension. Maybe mine and Kash’s. He’s still enjoying the palace far more than he has any right to
Candace“King Andri has refused my latest meeting request,” Kieran says.Taner groans. Finn rolls his eyes. Ingrid cracks her knuckles and glares at the portrait of the king that hangs over the small sitting room they’ve been granted to use for their meetings.I scratch a line through the bottom ent
Open the east gate, I call through the mind-link to the soldiers that should be on guard there at this time.They do as they’re told, and metal whines in the distance. Candace pricks an ear then picks up speed. Fuck. I can’t explain to her that’s just my orders being followed. She doesn’t even know
HollisMy first plan didn’t work out. Hell, I haven’t seen paw nor tail of Kash since that disastrous conversation with him. I have no idea why it went to shit. It really seemed like we were onto something, like Candace was about to unearth some big secret… and then he just shut down.I roll out my
Kash frowns. “Then how’d she find out? See a mark?”“In effect.” Hollis stares at the rocky floor.“He’s softening it.” I bite my lip. “We didn’t not pursue as much as we intended to, and she caught us. We made a terrible, selfish mistake that’s caused a lot of problems, and we just want to fix them